LHS DECA triumphs

Six Longview High School DECA students earlier this month began plotting a course to bring home some statewide honors in 2013, according to the group’s advisor.

The students advanced to the state DECA competition in Corpus Christi after winning or placing at the district level earlier this year. The district meet included competitors from more than 25 area high schools. About 4,000 students attended the state conference, according to DECA Advisor Rose Bayless.

“As a group of young students, we did not win in the categories they won at district, but they realize that they have a lot of work to do in order to advance to the next level,” Bayless said.

The students did not come home empty handed, however. The Longview DECA chapter was recognized as being among 22 schools statewide with at least 100 members; and received state and national accolades for membership campaign efforts.

Perhaps the most valuable thing the students brought back to Longview, according to Bayless, was experience.

“They witnessed things at the conference that I really couldn’t explain to them in class and in our meetings,” Bayless said. “I am very proud of them.”

Following are results from the DECA District 6 Career Development Conference, held in January:

Accounting Application

Marcus Stroud – 2nd Place

Business Financial

Carolynne Fielder – 1st Place

Financial Services TDM

Simone Macklin – 1st Place

Taylor Witt – 1st Place

Human Resources Management Series

Kaylor Shumaker – 1st Place

Marketing Management

Elissa Weedon – 2nd Place

Travel & Tourism TDM

Yanitza Tapia – 2nd Place

Ysenia Morena – 2nd Place

Hospitality Services TDM

Britteny Stauss – Alternate

Lesly Gonzalez – Alternate

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe, according to the group’s mission statement.